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The Best Episodes of The Shards Season 1

Every episode of The Shards Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Shards Season 1!

Binge this in 6h 52m•Peaking at 7.3/10

17-year-old Bret Easton Ellis is in his final year at the elite Buckley prep school. Upending his world is the arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory, whose unsettling presence coincides with the activities

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Shards Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    It's the summer of 1981 in Los Angeles; a series of disturbing crimes coincides with the arrival of a strange new student in Bret's orbit.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Bret Easton Ellis

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  2. The Shards Season 1 Episode 2 - Don't You Want Me
    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #2 - Don't You Want Me

    S1:E2

    Bret digs deeper into Robert's murky past and uncovers shocking evidence.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Bret Easton Ellis

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  3. The Shards Season 1 Episode 3 - Help Me! Rhonda
    7.0/10(16 votes)

    #3 - Help Me! Rhonda

    S1:E3

    A beloved student's sudden disappearance causes chaos for the senior class.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Juli Weiner

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  4. The Shards Season 1 Episode 4 - Robert's Party
    6.5/10(10 votes)

    #4 - Robert's Party

    S1:E4

    Susan's welcome party for Robert is overshadowed by a terrifying and violent incident.

    Director:Max Minghella
    Writer:Juli Weiner

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  5. The Shards Season 1 Episode 5 - Murder on the Dancefloor
    7.1/10(8 votes)

    #5 - Murder on the Dancefloor

    S1:E5

    A televised dance competition culminates with a horrifying showstopper.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Charles Rogers

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  6. The Shards Season 1 Episode 6 - Homecoming (1)
    7.3/10(7 votes)

    #6 - Homecoming (1)

    S1:E6

    Troubled Debbie is galvanized by a new extracurricular.

    Director:Crystle Roberson Dorsey
    Writers:Juli Weiner, Charles Rogers

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Shards

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  7. The Shards Season 1 Episode 7 - Homecoming (2)
    6.3/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Homecoming (2)

    S1:E7

    A surprising Homecoming King and Queen are crowned as the Trawler's killing spree continues.

    Director:Crystle Roberson Dorsey
    Writers:Juli Weiner, Charles Rogers

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  8. The Shards Season 1 Episode 8 - Hamlet
    5.7/10(3 votes)

    #8 - Hamlet

    S1:E8

    Something turns rotten in the state of California, as two blackmail plots reveal two devastating secrets.

    Director:Max Minghella
    Writers:Juli Weiner, Charles Rogers, Lenore Zion

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  9. The Shards Season 1 Episode 9 - Stairway to Heaven
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #9 - Stairway to Heaven

    S1:E9

    With the city on lockdown, Debbie hosts a Halloween party that will change everything.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Juli Weiner, Charles Rogers

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "The Shards" season 1. It scored 7.2/10 based on 15 votes. Directed by Ryan Murphy and written by Ryan Murphy, Bret Easton Ellis, it aired on 8/5/2026. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Don't You Want Me".